Rotary hydraulic coupling



Oct. 6, 1953 E. WANG ROTARY HYDRAULIC COUPLING 3 Sheets-Shag: l

Filed July 11, 1951 Och 1953 E. WANG 2,654,223

ROTARY HYDRAULIC COUPLIN G Filed July 11, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 2 UVA/E/V 7-0/ 'EUGEHE WANG v Oct. 6, 1953 E. WANG 2,654,223

ROTARY HYDRAULIC COUPLING Filed July 11, 1951 3 Shets-Shet 3 /NL/E/\/ TU)? EUGENE WANG Patented Oct. 6, 1953 UNITED STATES as am RQTHZW .WPAUEIQ 19 fi aefie wahg, PQQan Q 29; epamiioe J3 21 $5.33 15 92- 22 6,)!!!

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Figure a fi ct a f el iiia ivib io 5 5- coupling emboqying the fa tpg es Qflthis i F lig'diaigytghinfib phe entrariee ports is He} is M 2 24 3 2I. These vanes are preferably of rather elongated cross section, as shown in Figure 5, and ex-- tend obliquely outward in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the plate It. In Figures 5, 6 and '7 the plate l6 rotates in a clockwise direction. A second group of drive vanes 22 are spaced radially outward from the first group of vanes 2 I. The vanes 22 project inwardly from the drive plate I6 and are arranged in the oblique manner of vanes 2 I. As shdwn in Figures 5 and 7 of the drawings, the vanes 22 preferably are of shorter cross sectional length than vanes2I. l

A guide plate 23 is secured by key 26, in the manner of the drive plate already spokes 24 to a hub 25 which is keyed to the driven shaft II by conventional means by which the drive shaft 1 described. Since the hubs I8 and 25 are secured I but permits longitudinal movement of the hub on said shaft.

A slip ring 31 mounted freely in a circumferential groove in hub 29 is connected pivotally by rod 32 to the actuating lever 33 which is pivoted intermediate its ends by pin 34 supported by a mounting bracket 35. Actuation of the lever 33 causes the driven plate 21 to be moved relative to the guide plate 23, as shown by comparing Figures 1 and 3, and described in detail hereinafter.

Mounted upon the driven plate 2 1 and projecting inwardly therefrom toward the guide plate 23 are a plurality of driven vanes 36 arranged in 51' circumferentially spaced relation and positioned on a radius from the axis of the drive and driven shafts which is intermediate the positions of the radially spaced drive vanes 2|, 22. A second set of circumferentially spaced driven vanes 31 ex- 2' tend from the driven plate toward the guide plate from a radius greater than that of drive vanes 22.

The driven vanes and 31 are of arcuate cross section, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, and extend through complementary openings 38 and 39, respectively, formed in the guide plate 23, as best shown in Figure 9. These openings are of identical configuration as the cross sectional shape of the respective driven vanes, and are of slightly greater dimension to permit a close but sliding fit for the vanes. Thus, as the driven plate 21 is moved toward the guide plate 23, the driven vanes are projected into the space between the drive plate I6 and said guide plate, the driven vanes 36 occupying the space between the drive vanes 2I and 22 while the driven vanes 31 extend radially outward from drive vanes 22, as previously explained.

A circular sleeve 40, having an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the drive I in detail hereinafter.

and driven shaft II may be coupled together mechanically. The inner end of the drive plate "1 hub I8 is recessed and provided with circumferentially, spaced gear teeth 45. The guide plate hub 25 is similarly recessed to receive a cylindri- .cal block 46 having gear teeth 4! formed thereon for cooperative registration with the gear teeth 45. Rods 48 are secured at one end to block 45 and extend slidably through holes in the hubs 25 .and 23 for attachment to a collar 49. The collar 49 and block 46 are secured against relative rotation with the driven shaft I I by key means 3!). A slip ring 50 is slidably retained in a circumferential groove in the collar and is connected vpivotally by rod 51 to one end of the actuating lever 52. The lever is mounted pivotally intermediate its ends on pin 53 secured to the mounting bracket 54.

It is apparent that the drive shaft I is to be connected to a source of power, such as an internal combustion engine. The driven shaft II is connected, as by the coupling plate 55, to the device (not shown) which is to be driven. For example, the drive shaft I may constitute or be connected to the crank shaft of an automobile engine and the driven shaft I I' may be connected, either directly or through a transmission, to the drive shaft of the automobile.

The operation of the fluid coupling of the present invention is as follows: Let it be assumed, for purposes of illustration, that the drive shaft I is connected to a source of power being operated at its rated efficient constant speed. It is also to be assumed that the interior of the housing I, 2 is completely filled with a fluid, such as oil.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, it is seen that the driven plate 21 is fully retracted and that the free ends of the driven vanes 36, 3'? are flush with the inner surface of the guide plate 23. In this position the sleeve valve iii! completely seals the space between the drive plate I6 and the guide plate 23. Thus, although the drive vanes 2I, 22 are being rotated by the drive shaft .7, the fluid cannot pass radially outward through said space, but must merely travel in the circular path of the drive vanes. Since the driven vanes 36, 31 are full retracted, the fluid in the space between the drive plate I6 and guide plate 23 does ,not exert a pressure thereon and, accordingly, the driven shaft I I remains idle.

The arcuate plates 44 function with the extensions 4I as a shroud to close the space between the guide plate 23 and the driven plate 21. In this manner the fluid in said space is prevented from moving obliquely outward past the driven vanes. Accordingly, the fluid in said space is prevented from exerting any pressure upon the driven vanes suflicient to induce rotation of the driven plate 21.

Assume now that the operator moves the lever 33 to the position shown in Figure 3. In this position the driven plate 21 has been moved toward the guide plate 23 and the 'driven'vanes 36, 31

have been projected a portion of their length into the space between the drive plate It and guide plate 23. Simultaneously, the sleeve valve-40 has been moved to the left a distance equal to the length of driven vanes now extending into the path of the drive vanes 21, 22. A circumferential fluid outlet opening is thus provided between the sleeve 48 and the arcuate plates 44 for the passage of fluid.

Under the influence of the-rotatingdrive vanes 21, 22 the fluid is forced, by centrifugal action, obliquely outward from drive vanes 2| to impinge upon driven vanes 36, and thence from drive vanes 22 into impingement upon driven vanes 31. The fluid must impinge upon the driven vanes because of the. restriction of the opening provided by the sleeve valve 40. In this manner most elficient utilization of the fluid pressure and velocity generated by the drive vanes is obtained.

It is apparent that the degree of fluid coupling between the drive; and driven vanes, and hence the degree of power transfer, is variable within the movable limits of the driven vanes. Maximum efficiency of power transfer is obtained for each controlled degree of transfer by virtue of the provision of the sleeve valve 40.

The fluid passes from the circumferential, opening between the sleeve. 40-; and arcuate plates 44 and is diverted laterally in, the directions indicatedby the arrows in Figure 3. Since theafluid in the space between the housing sections I, 2 and the plates I6 and 2,! is not subjected to any centrifugal forces such as occurs. in the path of the drive vanes, the fluid is free to travel in substantially circular paths, as indicated by the arrows, from the peripheral opening laterally outward and then radially inward. to the intake openings provided between the spokes I1, 24 and 28.

In the foregoing manner the fluid is subjected to centrifugal action only in the space occupied by the drive and driven vanes between the plates l6 and 23. When expelled from this space there are no forces opposing the return of the fluid to the intake openings. Elficient circulation of fluid is thereby obtained, and excessive heatingof the fluid is obviated. The normal heat developed in the working space of the vanes is readily dissipated through the housing sections l, 2 as the fluid is returned to the intake openmgs.

The. fluid coupling is adapted in many sizes and designs for use with various types of equipment as, for example, locomotives, marine engines, automobiles, and many other stationary or mobile equipment. For automotive use, for example, the coupling may be used in conjunction with conventional transmissions of the manual or automatic types.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the structural details described hereinbefore may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the shape, number and position of the drive and driven vanes and the number of stages of vanes may be varied in accordance with well-known mechanical principles. The control of the driven plate 2! may be accomplished by automatic means rather than by the manual operation of lever 33. The sleeve valve 40 may be secured to the free ends of the driven vanes 31, rather than to plate 21, and a cylindrical shroud secured to housing section I may replace the arcuate plates 44 and extensions 4|.

amaze The fluid couplingillustrated andde'scribed herein is adapted, by the base 4, for a stationary installation. It is apparent, however, that the housing sections l, 2 may be supported. solely by the drive and driven shafts and thus be permitted either to rotate freely about both of said shafts orto be secured to one of said shafts for rotation therewith. In any of these latter constructions it is necessary only that an additional collar and slip ring be provided externally of. the housing for connection ofthe control rods. 32 and 5| as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The above and many other modifications may be made, as desired. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is merely illustrative of the invention and is not to be considered in a limiting sense.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which the same may be-used, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters; Patent is: I

1. A fluid coupling comprising a hollow hous-- ing, a pair of shafts extending coaxially through. the housing for independent rotation, a plate:- mounted for rotation with one of said shafts, a. second plate mounted for rotation with the second shaft and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, a third plate mounted intermediate the first and second plates for rotation with.

i said second shaft, the said, plates being coaxially on the second plate displaced radially from said first vanes and extending slidably through complementary openings, in the third plate for ad irritable coplanar r gistration with said first vanes, the vanes on the second plate being of uniform cross section corresponding to the openings in the third plate for closing the openings in the third plate in. all adjusted positions of said vanes.

2. A fluid coupling comprising a hollow housing, a pair of shafts extending coaxially through the housing for independent rotation, a plate mounted for rotation with one of said shafts, a second plate mounted for rotation with the second shaft and movable longitudinally with re spect thereto, a third plate mounted intermediate the first and second. plates for rotation with said second shaft, the, saidplates being coaidally aligned and extending radially around their respective shafts and each havingfluid openings therein adjacent the shafts, vanes on the first plate extending toward the third plate, vanes on the second plate displaced radially from said first vanes and extending slidably through complementary openings in the third plate for adjustable coplanar registration with said first vanes, and sleeve valve means operated by the second plate and positioned to retractably enclose the peripheral space between the first and third plates;

3. A fluid coupling comprising a hollow housing, a pair of shafts extending coaxially through the housing for independent rotation, a plate mounted for rotation with one of said shafts, a second plate mounted for rotation with the second shaft and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, a third plate mounted intermediate the first and second plates for rotation with said second shaft, the said plates being coaxially aligned and extending radially around their respective shafts and each having fluid openings 7 therein adjacent the shafts, vanes on the first plate extending toward the third plate, vanes on the second plate displaced radially from said first vanes and extending slidably through complementary openings in the third plate for adjustable coplanar registration with said first vanes, the vanes on the second plate closing the openings in the third plate in all adjusted positions of said vanes, and sleeve valve means operated by the second plate and positioned to retractably enclose the peripheral space between the first and third plates.

4. The fluid coupling of claim 3 wherein the first said shaft is a drive shaft and the second shaft is a driven shaft.

5. The fluid coupling of claim 3 wherein the sleeve valve means is positioned to open the peripheral space between the first and third plates a distance substantially equal to the length of the portion of the second plate vanes registering with the first plate vanes.

6. A fluid coupling comprising a hollow housing, a pair of shafts extending coaxially through the housing for independent rotation, a plate mounted for rotation with one of said shafts, a second plate mounted for rotation with the second shaft and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, a third plate mounted intermediate the first and second plates for rotation with said second shaft, the said plates being coaxially aligned and extending radially around their respective shafts and each having fluid openings therein adjacent the shafts, vanes on the first plate extending toward the third plate, vanes on the second plate displaced radially from said first vanes and extending slidably through complementary openings in the third plate for adjustable coplanar registration with said first vanes, and shroud means secured relative to the third plate and enclosing the peripheral space between the second and third plates.

7. A fluid coupling comprising a hollow housing, a pair of shafts extending coaxially through the housing for independent rotation, a plate mounted for rotation with one of said shafts, a second plate mounted for rotation with the second shaft and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, a third plate mounted intermediate the first and second plates for rotation with said second shaft, the said plates being coaxially aligned and extending radially around their respective shafts and each having fluid openings 8 therein adjacent the shafts, vanes on the first plate extending toward the third plate, vanes on the second plate displaced radially from said first vanes and extending slidably through complementary openings in the third plate for adjustable coplanar registration with said first vanes, sleeve valve means operated by the second plate and positioned to retractably enclose the peripheral space between the first and third plates, and shroud means secured relative to the third plate and enclosing the peripheral space between the second and third plates.

8. The fluid coupling of claim '7 wherein the shroud means comprises arcuate plates secured to the third plate.

9. A fluid coupling comprising a hollow housing, a pair of shafts extending coaxially through the housing for independent rotation, a plate mounted for rotation with one of said shafts, a second plate mounted for rotation with the second shaft and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, a third plate mounted intermediate the first and second plates for rotation with said second shaft, the said plates being coaxially aligned and extending radially around their respective shafts and each having fluid openings therein adjacent the shafts, vanes on the first plate extending toward the third plate, vanes on the second plate displaced radially from said first vanes and extending slidably through complementary openings in the third plate for adjustable coplanar registration with said first vanes, the vanes on the second plate closing the openings in the third plate in all adjusted positions of said vanes, sleeve valve means operated by the second plate and positioned to retractably enclose the peripheral space between the first and third plates, and shroud means secured relative to the third plate and enclosing the peripheral space between the second and third plates.

EUGENE WANG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,428,586 Garrison Sept. 12, 1922 2,258,302 Ronning Oct. 7, 1941 2,266,085 Sanderson Dec. 16, 1941 2,270,545 Neracher et al. Jan. 20, 1942 2,384,841 Lang et al. Sept. 13, 1945 

